Culturally Responsive Occupational Therapy Education and Practice: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Occupational therapy
• Cultural responsiveness
• Health equity

Background:

• Culturally responsive care (CRC) is crucial for equitable and meaningful occupational therapy (OT) services.
• The integration of CRC in OT education and practice shows variability.
• Existing literature lacks a comprehensive understanding of CRC's definition and implementation in OT.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically map the definitions, implementation, and integration of CRC within OT literature.
• To identify existing knowledge gaps regarding CRC in OT.
• To inform the advancement of equitable and accountable OT practice.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search across major databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, PsycINFO).
• Analysis of 53 studies using Arksey and O'Malley's framework.
• Application of the Health Standards Organization (HSO) Cultural Safety and Humility Framework.

Main Results:

• CRC is conceptualized on a spectrum from cultural competence to cultural humility.
• Community partnerships, particularly with Indigenous groups, are central to CRC implementation.
• Limited application of CRC in OT training and service delivery noted, especially in the global south.

Conclusions:

• CRC is a recognized priority in OT, but its practical application requires enhancement.
• Addressing identified knowledge gaps is essential for improving OT equity and client satisfaction.
• Further research and implementation strategies are needed to strengthen CRC in OT globally.